Chapter 20: The More Capable You Are, the More Work You Have to Do
Beautiful days are always short-lived, especially when you prove to be too capable.
This was Haruko's only thought at the moment.
In the open space of the base, Commander Yui Iwashiro, with a face as hard as a rock, was sizing him up with a burning gaze.
"As a Ninja, it's not enough to just know how to cook and do renovations."
Iwashiro's voice was booming, making Haruko's eardrums ring. "Even though you're in logistics, in a hellhole like the border, having one more life-saving skill means living for one more second."
This bearded tough guy had recently been looking forward to Haruko's dinners the most every day.
"This kid is a real talent."
Iwashiro took a mouthful of rice and watched Haruko, who was using Water Release to automatically wash the dishes, his eyes sparkling.
"With such strong Chakra control, it's a pity if he doesn't become an Earth Release Ninja."
And so, the tragedy occurred.
Haruko had just finished his work for the day and was about to collapse onto the rocking chair he had built himself when a large hand pressed down on his shoulder.
"Kid, I see you have an extraordinary physique; you're a natural for Earth Release." Iwashiro smiled like the Big Bad Wolf trying to lure Little Red Riding Hood. "Come with me, I'll teach you a couple of life-saving tricks."
Haruko's lip twitched.
'Old man, I freaking thank you! I just want to be a quiet chef, really."
But resisting was impossible. After all, this was his direct superior, and... if he didn't learn, Iwashiro looked like he would stay and chat with him all night.
For the sake of his future peace, Haruko could only follow him out with a long face.
...
In the open space outside the base.
"Watch closely! Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
Iwashiro formed hand seals and slammed his palms onto the ground.
Rumble—
A thick earth wall rose from the ground. Although it was only three meters high, it was heavy and solid.
'Hardening it by compressing the soil? It's a hardness-specialized version of an earth wall... though there are no dog heads carved on it."
Iwashiro brushed the dust off his hands, looking proud. "This is the divine defensive technique, Earth Flow Wall. Back then, it took me a full week to master this move. You give it a try."
Haruko sighed and raised his hand, resigned to his fate.
Since he couldn't avoid it, he'd just fool his way through it quickly so he could go back and lie down.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall."
Rumble—
The earth wall rose from the ground, looking exactly like the one next to it.
The air suddenly went still.
Iwashiro's large, bell-like eyes widened, and his mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg.
"It's... done just like that?"
Iwashiro stepped forward and threw a punch. Haruko's earth wall was dented with a large pit, but it didn't break.
"Ahem, the hardness still needs improvement. It's only about thirty percent of my level. You need to practice more."
Although he said that, one had to know that this was a B-rank Ninjutsu.
Usually, a Genin would take a week just to form a piece of earth, yet this kid imitated seventy to eighty percent of it with just one look?
"Speaking of which, you already knew how to use Earth Release to build houses... Alright, I'll teach you another one."
Iwashiro began forming hand seals again.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wave."
Accompanied by the rumbling of the ground, the earth ahead surged like waves, instantly changing the terrain.
'Isn't it just injecting Chakra into the ground to change the soil's fluidity? Speaking of which, if I injected Natural Energy, could it become Inorganic Reincarnation?"
Of course, Haruko was just thinking. If he actually used it, it wouldn't be a surprise but a shock.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wave."
Haruko made a face as if he were constipated. The soil only churned slightly, but it still made Iwashiro's lip twitch.
"You're a real freak, kid... I heard that the Copy Ninja Kakashi can copy others' Ninjutsu with just one look. You'll probably be able to do the same in the future."
Just as Iwashiro's worldview was crumbling, a soft chuckle came from the side.
"Splendid Chakra control."
Uchiha Shisui had stood there at some point, his dark eyes full of admiration.
"Since your talent for Earth Release is so good, Fire Release should be no problem either, right? After all, I often see you controlling fire when you're cooking."
Haruko's eyelid twitched.
'You too, Shisui-ge?"
Shisui obviously didn't hear Haruko's inner thoughts and enthusiastically demonstrated "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique."
Several flames, like the seeds of a balsam flower, flew out and hit the earth wall Iwashiro had made earlier, leaving charred marks.
"Want to try?"
Haruko looked at their expectant gazes and knew that if he didn't try, this wouldn't end well.
'Phoenix Sage Fire... Compress Chakra in the mouth, spit it out in batches, and control the trajectory."
Okay, the brain gets it.
The body... gets it too.
But if he performed it right now, these two would probably send him to be sliced up for research, or drag him directly from the Logistics Department to the Suicide Squad.
This is the law of workplace survival: never let your boss think you're overqualified, or you'll end up doing the work of two people for one salary.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique."
Flames spat out from Haruko's mouth, deliberately low in quantity and power, without letting the flames curve.
"It's so hard..." Haruko frowned deeply. "This Chakra flow is too complex. I need to find a place with no one around to slowly figure it out."
Iwashiro nodded understandingly. "Normal. Earth Release is about accumulating and releasing. Go practice over by the woods, but don't go too far."
Shisui also smiled. "Be careful with the Fire Release control; don't start a fire."
"Understood!"
Haruko felt like he had been granted a grand pardon. He turned and ran toward the depths of the woods, his retreating figure radiating a cheerfulness that screamed, "I'm finally off work!"
...
By a stream not far from the base, Haruko had been coming here every day after finishing his logistics work.
After making sure no one followed him, he let out a lazy yawn.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall."
He casually formed a seal with one hand and tapped the ground with his toe.
Boom!
Four smooth, flat earth walls, even with windproof curves, rose instantly, forming a comfortable shelter. He even carved a dog head on it to give it some soul.
Immediately after.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique."
He opened his mouth and spat out a few small flames.
These flames curved in the air, eventually converging on a single point to ignite the pile of firewood he had already set up.
Haruko nodded with satisfaction, pulled out a wild rabbit he had just caught, and skillfully cleaned it before putting it on the fire.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wave."
The ground surged, quickly forming a new rocking chair.
"This is called applying what you've learned."
Looking at the blue sky and white clouds, listening to the sizzling sound of the roasting meat, and feeling the slow flow of Natural Energy around him.
Studying? Screw that!
Slacking off is the best!
A so-called genius uses the time others spend practicing killing techniques to research how to roast meat until it's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
However, this ultimate enjoyment did not last long.
Just as Haruko had put a roasted rabbit leg into his mouth and was feasting—
Whoosh—Bang!
A blinding red signal flare exploded in the sky to the northeast of the base.
It was an emergency distress signal.
Haruko's movements froze, and the meat in his mouth instantly lost its flavor.
"So annoying! Couldn't they wait until I finished eating!"
Despite his complaints, he still stood up.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wave."
After quickly burying the traces, Haruko rushed toward the base.